UDAI OMNI expertise on partial knee replacement covered in media

If you have been recommended a knee replacement then you may be a candidate for a partial (unicompartmental) knee replacement.You may be a good candidate for a partial or unicompartmental knee replacement if your arthritis is confined to a single compartment of the knee.

Your knee is divided into three major compartments: The medial compartment (the inside part of the knee), the lateral compartment (the outside part), and the patellofemoral compartment (the front of the knee between the kneecap and thighbone).

Partial Knee Replacement

In a partial knee replacement, only the damaged compartment is replaced with metal and polyethylene (surgical grade plastic). The healthy cartilage and bone in the rest of the knee is left alone.

Total Knee Replacement is also a highly successful procedure. More than 600,000 knee replacements are performed in the US annually and this number is set to reach 4 million by 2030. Similarly, in India it is thought that over 30,000 are being performed annually and this number is increasing by 15% annually.

Partial knee replacement numbers are much smaller as not all patients are suitable for this type of conservative surgery and not all knee surgeons are trained in performing this surgery.

Dr Udai Prakash performed the first mini-incision partial knee replacement at UDAI OMNI last week. The patient, a 56 year old lady discharged after 2 days.

Partial knee replacement has several advantages over a total knee replacement.

• Shorter stay
• Quicker recovery
• Preservation of natural joint and ligaments
• Smaller incision
• More natural feel and motion of the knee
• Greater range of movement in the knee ie more flexion or bending of the knee

Not all patients are suitable for a partial knee replacement. Only those who have osteoarthritis affecting just one of the 3 compartments of the knee may benefit from this surgery.